Understanding Comicality: The Psychology Behind Using Humor to Cope

Comicality is a term used in psychology to describe the tendency of some people to use humor as a way to cope with difficult or uncomfortable situations. It is often seen as a defense mechanism, where the person uses humor to avoid dealing with their emotions or to diffuse tension.

Comicality can manifest in different ways, such as making jokes or using sarcasm to deflect from serious topics, or using humor to mock oneself or others in order to avoid vulnerability. While comicality can be a way to temporarily alleviate discomfort or stress, it can also be a barrier to deeper connection and understanding, as it can prevent people from fully engaging with their emotions and the situation at hand.

The concept of comicality was first introduced by psychologist Kenneth D. Keith in the 1970s, and has since been studied extensively in the field of psychology. Research has shown that comicality is often associated with certain personality traits, such as extraversion and agreeableness, and can be a coping strategy for people who are high in anxiety or neuroticism.